Litigation Personal Injury 23/04/96

Ward v Dalziel - QBD 28 March 1996

Claimant: David Ward, 45

Incident: Road traffic accident; claimant driving van which was hit from behind by another vehicle

Injuries: Whiplash injury; claimant left with back injury forcing him to give up work for Essex police force where he was a detective constable; he has since built up a successful business as a toastmaster

Award: £40,000 (agreed damages)

Judge: Roger Titheridge QC (sitting as deputy judge of the Queen's Bench Division)

Plaintiff's solicitors: Russell Jones & Walker



Mennie v The Corporation of the Hall of Arts and Science - 26 March 1996

Claimant: Trevor Mennie, 51

Incident: Stage technician injured his back winching three-quarter ton speaker

Injuries: Back injury; judge found effects of injury which claimant alleged rendered him unfit for work and led to him being medically retired were greatly exaggerated

Award: £11,600 - (claimant rejected pre-trial settlement offer of £25,000)

Judge: Mr Justice Rougier

Plaintiff's solicitors: Hextall Erskine



Smith v Coventry Health Authority - QBD 29 March 1996

Claimant: Kevin Smith, 16

Incident: Medical negligence

Injuries: Oxygen starvation at birth resulting in cerebral palsey; claimant cannot feed himself, cannot speak and is confined to wheelchair; requires a home specially adapted to his needs

Award: £2 million (agreed damages)

Judge: Mr Justice Buckley

Plaintiff's solicitors: Richard Dawson (Manchester)